Ester Community Association

The annual Ester Fest on Saturday July 18, will be more than a concert, it’s a celebration of, and fundraiser for, the volunteer-operated Ester Community Park. From up-and-coming rock and roll youth, to long-time local music legends, this year’s Ester Fest is sure to please.

Featuring live music from 2 to 10 p.m., food trucks and vendors, Ester Fest 2026 showcases the beautiful venue, provides income for its ongoing maintenance and improvements, as well as features incredible local and guest music talent. A beer garden will be available to sell drinks to legal adults over 21. 

The fest kicks off at 2 p.m. with students and instructors from the Rock Band Camp, showcasing the culmination of two weeks of intensive study and practice for 6-12 grade aspiring musicians. Then the lineup takes a turn to country and western with the Goddam Ranch Hand – aka. Boot – from Trapper Creek Alaska, followed by the Fairbanks Rag Time piano Club. Local favorites Ned Gaines and Tom Letson hit the stage at 4:15, Valley Below at 5 p.m, followed by the foot stomping harmonies of the Honeybucket String Band at 6 p.m. King Swardfish from Whitehorse, a longtime feature of Chickenstock Music Festival, takes the stage at 7 p.m. Rounding out the evening are the groovy tunes of JZAMM at 8 p.m. followed by local legends of rock the Skidmarks at 9 p.m.

More than two dozen local businesses have signed up to sell wares and share their art with the community. Festival t-shirts designed by Leah Hill will also be available for purchase.

Admission is $10 adults, youth/children under 18 are free. The park is located at 3566 Old Nenana Hwy, Fairbanks, and is only a short 8 minute drive from West Fairbanks.

“I am so excited about our unique line-up of musicians, huge variety of booths to shop at, and great food options. Plus it’s all happening at one of Interior Alaska’s finest venues – our beloved Ester Community Park,” said ECA President Monique Musick. “Now that we have paid off the mortgage to purchase the park, we are able to funnel revenues into improvements to our lot, playground, and stage, and to start to look at building additional facilities and features.”

Unlike most other parks in Alaska, the Ester Community Park is privately operated by the all-volunteer Ester Community Association with the help and assistance of members of the community. In January 2026 the final land payment was made. The lush field, large stage and beautiful playground have all been built and maintained by community labor, and is funded by donations, facility rentals, revenue from annual fundraisers, and the state’s Community Revenue Sharing program.

Parking at the park is limited so people are encouraged to carpool if they are able. The spacious lawn has lots of room to spread out – bring a chair or blanket and enjoy live music on the biggest outdoor stage and best grass in Fairbanks.

The annual spring membership meeting will be held both in person at Hartung Hall and virtually at 4 p.m. on Sunday, April 12, 2026.

If you’re not able to attend in person, please message the ECA to request a link to join the meeting.

We have a number of very important matters to discuss as a community.
• Community planning updates and next steps
• Spring work projects & park clean-up
• Hartung hall repairs
• Park volunteers & summer maintenance
• Fourth of July
• Ester Fest
• Plus updates, announcements, financial reports, and more!

Membership can be renewed in person or online using our Square site: https://my-site-100388-102972.square.site/ 

January 2, 2026

The board of directors of the Ester Community Association is thrilled to announce that it has made the final payment to purchase the land housing the Ester Community Park.

The Ester Community Association (ECA) entered into a Deed of Trust to purchase the park property from the registered land owner, Carolyn Bell Trust, in December 2016. As of January 2, 2026, the final payment has been transmitted. 

“I want to thank the hundreds of donors and supporters who have made this purchase possible,” said ECA president Monique Musick. “There is no greater testament to the spirit of community we have here in Ester than the generosity of the residents whose commitment made this purchase, and the park itself, a reality.”

The Ester Community Park is a communal gathering place in the Ester community. The park is not just a fun place for children to play, it is also host to music festivals, private parties, and a variety of community events. For example the annual Fourth of July parade and potluck, Fairbanks Folk Fest, AYP, Fungi Fest and more. Each year ECA volunteers give their time and resources to keep the park beautiful. All improvements to the park have been accomplished through the hard work of the people of Ester, donations, fundraising and lots of volunteer effort. It is operated independently from the borough.

Former board member Ritchie Musick led an annual fundraising campaign – the Mortgage Meeters – and over the years encouraged hundreds of residents to support the purchase of the park through annual donations of $120 or more. Many others provided direct donations, or participated in fundraisers in support of the land purchase. Thanks to those and other generous donors, we were able to pay off the park ahead of schedule.

For more than thirty years the ECA has developed and maintained the park for the benefit of the community. With the purchase of the land now complete, the board remains committed to investing in the infrastructure and operation of the community park, and has its eyes on future expansion and improvements, while also maintaining annual community events and activities. 

“This is a huge milestone for our community, and all of us who have been involved over the years are celebrating this incredible achievement,” said Musick.

THE PARADE:
The parade begins at the corner of Ester Loop and Main Street, progresses down Main Street to the Judges’ stand (across from the Golden Eagle Saloon) then follows Village Road to the Old Nenana, past the post office to the park.

Sign-up and line-up 11 a.m. – 11:45 a.m. Marching begins at noon! (Bribes for judges are strongly encouraged!) No pre-registration required.

THE POTLUCK & PICNIC – 1 p.m.
Potluck starts at 1 p.m. In addition to a truly incredible pig, the ECA provides burgers and dogs and some sides/salads.Bring generously sized potluck items to the community park following the parade for ONE FREE ENTRY.

THE PIG
Cuban-style roasted pig is incredible!! We will once again feature a delicious pig with this year’s picnic/potluck.

THE PRICE
Suggested pig roast/potluck donations are $5 kids, $10 adults, $25 family.Donations above costs support the Ester Community Park purchase and operation!

Looking for something lighter? We have limited items available a la carte. Skip the food line and head straight to the grill for:
Hamburger -$4
Hot dog – $2
Water/Soda – $1

THE PICNIC & GAMES
We have a great field to enjoy picnicing and games.Planning to bring your own food instead of potlucking? Please consider leaving a donation in the “appreciation station” by the gazebo to help support the park which offers such enjoyment for so many families for all these years. Or branch out this year and participate in the community potluck. The more who participate the better it is for all!

MEMBERSHIP
The Fourth of July is a great time to contribute to the community by becoming a member of the Ester Community Association. Annual membership is $10, or $25 family.

VOLUNTEER
Want to help? Send an e-mail to [email protected] and the volunteer coordinator will help line out ways you can help including set-up, food table management, grill mastering, clean-up and other duties.

This is our annual, all-day, all-hands clean up of our community park. From raking leaves to tuning playground equipment we all work hard to make our park the best in the interior.

Chores include:
* raking leaves,
* general cleanup
* stage prep
* weed whacking
* sweeping the basketball court
* tree trimming
* painting
* organizing
* and more!

We will post a list of chores on the shed, and you can pick the job that suits you (and your kids) best!

Food and beverages will be provided for volunteers.

Please dress for weather and outdoor work, bring rakes, shovels, gloves and a good attitude!

October 20, 2024 – Hartung Hall

The fall membership of the nonprofit Ester Community Association, Inc will be held at the Hartung Community Hall 4pm to 6pm

We’ll recap our year, learn about our upcoming events, and make plans for winter in the park.

We will also be electing board members – if you’ve wanted to become more engaged in the community this is your chance! We are looking for new board members to join our team.

While everyone may attend, only members whose annual dues are paid (via the website, or in person at the meeting) may vote in the election, or on other issues that come to a vote.

Membership can be renewed online using our Square site: https://my-site-100388-102972.square.site/

Learn more about this year’s event.

Live music:
2 p.m. Dave Parks
2:35 The Skidmarks
3:30 Tim Easton
4:25 Vitamin U
5:15 Missy Beth and the Morning Afters
6:15 The Thneeds
7:05 Steve Brown And the Bailers
8:00 Cowgrinder
8:50 Act of Congress
9:35 Monolith Green

The annual spring membership meeting will be held both in person at Hartung Hall and virtually at 4 p.m. on Sunday, April 28. If you’re not able to attend in person, please email the ECA to request a link to join the meeting.

We have a number of very important matters to discuss as a community.
• Community planning updates and next steps
• Spring work projects & park clean-up
• Hartung hall repairs
• Park volunteers & summer maintenance
• Mortgage Meeters
• Fourth of July
• Ester Fest
• Plus updates, announcements, financial reports, and more!

Membership can be renewed in person or online using our Square site: https://my-site-100388-102972.square.site/

It’s time for the annual Easter egg hunt!!

DROP OFF EGGS: Noon – 1 p.m.
Children 11 and under bring 6 decorated eggs to the Ester Community Hall. Label container with child’s name and age.

HIDING EGGS: 1:30
Anyone 12 and older can help hide eggs.

EGG HUNT: 2 p.m.
Groups will be: ages 1-2 (indoor or on deck); ages 3-5 outside Hartung Hall, ages 6-8 JTEL Clausen Cabin and ages 9-11 at the Ester Gold Camp.Egg hunting starts at the community hall with the youngest group first. Then the group will walk to the next two locations, and return back to Hartung Hall after searching.

Best parking location is the lot across from the Golden Eagle Saloon. Everything is in walking distance from there.The ECA will provide prize eggs for each age group, the Easter Bunny and snacks to share following the hunt.

Be creative: creative judging for creative decorating!

Ester, a community renowned for its do-it-yourself ethos and close-knit bonds, announces its first-ever Community Planning Meeting. The facilitated session will be held on September 17 from 1:00 to 6:00 p.m. at Flossie & May’s within the iconic Ester Gold Camp.

This milestone event is poised to serve as a platform for Ester residents and stakeholders – old-timers and newcomers alike – to contribute their insights, ideas, and aspirations for the community, and collaboratively mold the town’s future.

RSVP and learn more on our Community Planning Page.